Apple TV has its own App Store that takes the device far beyond the pre-installed apps. Some of your favorite iPhone and iPad apps will probably show up in the Apple TV App Store, but there will also be some new apps that you won’t be able to live without.

This chapter is from the book

This chapter is from the book

Enhance the Apple TV’s range of entertainment options by installing new apps and games.

Although the Apple TV might be stocked with a bunch of useful pre-installed apps, you can expand the functionality and fun of the device by installing apps from the App Store. In this chapter, you’ll learn about:

Finding apps and games

Downloading and managing apps

Playing games on the Apple TV

Managing in-app purchases and subscriptions

Updating apps to new versions

Apps to check out

If you have an iPhone or iPad, you know that the built-in apps are useful, but the apps and games you get at the App Store are what make your device so powerful, indispensable, and fun. The same is true of the Apple TV: It has its own App Store that takes the device far beyond the pre-installed apps. Some of your favorite iPhone and iPad apps will probably show up in the Apple TV App Store, but there will also be some new apps that you won’t be able to live without.

Apps for the Apple TV are designed especially for use on an HDTV from across the room. They’re also made to be controlled using Siri and the Siri Remote.

Finding Apps and Games

The App Store app on the Apple TV works basically the same way as it does on the iPhone or iPad. You can search for apps or browse the store; some apps are free, some require upfront payment, others have in-app purchases.

Search the Apple TV App Store

If you know the name of the app you’re looking for, follow these steps to search for it:

Browse the Apple TV App Store

If you don’t know what you’re looking for or just prefer to peruse what’s out there in hopes of discovering something new, you can also browse the App Store. Here’s how:

Launch the App Store app.

The main screen of the app displays Featured apps based on categories and promotional groups assembled by Apple. You can navigate to any of these using the touchpad or the Remote app; click to select them.

Rate App—If you’ve used the app and want to let others know what you think of it, use this area to assign a star rating. For instructions on how to do that, see “Review Apps at the App Store” later in this chapter.

Ratings—The ratings represent what other users think of the app. This section displays the current star rating, the number of ratings, and how many times each star rating has been assigned. You’ll see those reviews for both the current version of the app and all versions, for all time.

Information—Basic information about the app, such as when it was last updated and whether it offers features like Game Center support (for more on Game Center, check out “Playing Games on the Apple TV” later in this chapter).